Fuel Gauge issues.

[btfarm]

The type of tire also makes quite a difference and wheels as well. I still have PYO 6.5" wheels with BFG AT/KO tires so I have to run at 45 PSI to get even wear. That means higher rolling resistance so my best mileage is at just about 70 MPH on the speedo which is right about the sweet spot of 1650 on the tach. For comparison you should be seeing TC lockup at exactly 45 MPH on the clock under light acceleration and shift to 6th at 52-53 with 285s.

 

[RI Chevy Silveradoman]

Are those load range D or E Mike?

 

[btfarm]

Just to give you an idea of what mileage I'm used to... I drive 90-95% highway and run B5-B20 fuel (mostly soy here in farming country). Current blend is 17.5-18.5 MPG. Winter blend is 15.5-16.5 and 17 if the ambient temps are above 60*F

 

[btfarm]

Are those load range D or E Mike?

I run Ds Jeff.

 

[RI Chevy Silveradoman]

Ok. That's what I thought. I run the 265x75x16 E tires. A big difference in ride quality between D and E.

 

[SS FORCE]

BFG's are in my future. I plan on some 20'' rims and hopefully to squeeze some 305's under the truck. My old 37'' BFG KM2's I ran at 35 psi and got 50k miles out of them before selling them with miles still left on them. The wear and noise out of them is without compare.

 

[RI Chevy Silveradoman]

Mike: Did you get better mileage when you ran the stock 245's?

 

[btfarm]

Mike: Did you get better mileage when you ran the stock 245's?

Ha ha. .. I drove 25 miles from the dealer to the tire shop. Did that with the '03 8.1, '05 Dmax, and this one too.

 

[RI Chevy Silveradoman]

Lol! I knew it was a silly question.

 

[THEFERMANATOR]

Mike: Did you get better mileage when you ran the stock 245's?

I seen almost 1MPG better with 245's VS 265's on my BURB with 3.42 gears and my 5 speed.

 

[RI Chevy Silveradoman]

Yup. That's why I was asking.

 

[btfarm]

I'm certain I would see better mileage with 245s but I wanted decent sized tires and I also wanted the right ones for winter that were reasonable on pavement.

 

[RI Chevy Silveradoman]

Same here Mike. I just didn't feel like trimming the black corners on the lower bumper fascia, so I took the safer route and went with 265's. What can I say, I'm a fiscal conservative!

 

[THEFERMANATOR]

Same here Mike. I just didn't feel like trimming the black corners on the lower bumper fascia, so I took the safer route and went with 265's. What can I say, I'm a fiscal conservative!

265/75/16's were stock on 3500 SRW trucks, so it isn't a big switch. I started to go with 235/85/16's last time I bought tires, but decided to stay stock height.

 

[tanman_2006]

I notice the tick with mine bout every change, I use M1 5/40 and go by the DIC for changes but try to get a sample at 50%, so far the only short oci was using rotella both 15/40 and 5/40. Otherwise my air filters collapse and cause a short oci before the oil fails.

 

[tanman_2006]

My 305/55R20's kill mpg hopes but its still respectable for a 9k pound trailer totin pig. Your 13-14 made me feel better lol

 

[SS FORCE]

Well I finally got in some mixed highway/city driving and mileage went right to 16. I feel a little better now. Heading out of town this weekend and will report back with some highway mileage.

 

[RI Chevy Silveradoman]

Good! Have a safe trip.

 

[btfarm]

Have a great trip! For best efficiency the LBZ seems to like 1650 - 1700 RPMs best

 

[SS FORCE]

Well I got some numbers and I am impressed. Just shy of 19 mpg to my families cabin and back, speed limits were 70-80 the whole way so I am sure if I slowed down I would get even better. I am very pleased.